Medial Meniscus Tear

Dr. Reeves' Notes: The medial meniscus of the knee is non linear structure. Dr. Fullerton published examples of regeneration from dextrose injection, including an example of repair of a tear in the medial meniscus. Image B was actually taken after one injection and Image D after 3 injections, with the obvious tear closing in favor of meniscus tissue with normal appearance. The patient stopped having symptoms, the McMurray test became negative and the meniscus also healed according to pre and post MRI scans.

High-resolution ultrasound imaging of musculoskeletal tissue is increasing in popularity because of patient tolerability, low cost, ability to visualize tissue in real-time motion, and superior resolution of highly organized tissue such as a tendon. Prolotherapy, defined as the injection of growth factors or growth factor production stimulants to grow normal cells or tissue, has been a controversial procedure for decades; it is currently gaining in popularity among physiatrists and other musculoskeletal physicians. This report describes imaging of tendons, ligaments, and medial meniscus disease (from trauma or degeneration). Although these tissues have been poorly responsive to nonsurgical treatment, it is proposed that tissue growth and repair after prolotherapy in these structures can be documented with ultrasound and confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging. Directions for future research application are discussed.